Post by HeadMarshal on Aug 8, 2017 11:55:36 GMT -5
Photo Credits: Wanted for Murder by Stephen G. Michaud (more information below)
DOB: May 16, 1965
Height: 5'7
Weight: 147 lbs
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
--
In the late 1980s, there was bad blood between migrant farm workers Ruben Escobar Sanchez and Fidel Ruiz, because Fidel was sexually interested in Ruben's wife. On August 24, 1989, Ruben lured Fidel to a vacant home owned by Ralph Bowle. Authorities say that's where Ruben allegedly shot Fidel to death and set the structure Fidel's body was left in on fire.
The fire caught the attention of Ralph Bowle and his brother Lane. The brothers gave chase to Ruben in their cars. Trying to block Ruben's exit, that's when Ruben allegedly shot Ralph to death as well. Ruben then allegedly shot and wounded Lane in the hand, as another local farmer Stan Arquette shot at Ruben as well. With his car damaged, Ruben then ran to a family's home, pulled his gun on them and stole their car as Stan continued to fire at Ruben as he fled. Ruben then fled with his family and dropped off his children in Ontario, California. It's believed he may have fled to Mexico, however he and Fidel Ruiz were from the same town there. It was quoted to a local newspaper, that Fidel's family in Mexico would kill Ruben if he showed up there again.
Based on crime location, it is advised to contact the Yakima County Sheriff's Department at 800-572-0490 if you have any information on Ruben Escobar Sanchez's whereabouts.
Modeator Note: If you have any news-related updated information on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
--
Thoughts? Quick backstory on how I learned about the case details. Someone through web.archive.org saved a 1990 book by writer Stephen G. Michaud that detailed the ongoing manhunt for fugitives mostly wanted through murder. Luckily there was a 14-day free trial I could analyze the book without paying to see if there were any fugitives still at large to post about. I confirmed through the Washington court records, that the 1989 case of Ruben Escobar Sanchez shows up as "warrant" with no court appears or warrant updates, meaning he's still at large as of this posting date. (8/8/2017)
We had learned in 2015 through the "AMW Master List" that Ruben was profiled on AMW. We knew his name but didn't have detailed information or even a photo to make a thread on at the time. Based on newspaper archives I've seen, a case matching this description was first profiled in 1991, and it may have been on a 1995/1996 episode of Final Justice that was not re-aired in 2001.
As for the case itself, this situation could have been resolved so much better. I know that relationships and issues involving them can get heated, but Ruben did not need to escalate this to the point of allegedly killing two people and shooting another victim. The Bowle brothers weren't even involved in the original dispute in the first place.
As for Ruben's whereabouts today. Aside from his hometown in Mexico where Fidel Ruiz was from as well, there are a lot of other communities in Mexico where he could be working in farming today. If his family still lives in Washington state today, he may try to still visit them, or those relatives in California possibly as well.